Online Resources for Students

Addiction Counselor is an educational resource for individuals interested in beginning or advancing a career in the substance abuse counseling field. State-by-state guides to licensure, education, salary guides and degree information are available. Advanced topics include comparison guides and other resource information.

The Human Services Careers Guide by PublicHealthOnline.org can help aspiring students gain pertinent information on their chosen profession. Points touched on in this guide include the various careers in human services, what day-to-day life might be like, health and human services salary expectations, the best places to work and the kind of skills that make a difference to those in the field.

MastersInSocialWork.org offers a variety of information, guides and resources for students pursuing a master's level career in social work. Visit the Resources section to find information on student and professional organizations, industry journals, open courseware and more.

Student loans are increasing in young households. According to MoneyGeek.com, in 1989, one in six households had student loans; in 2010, the number was one in three. Stagnant wages and rising tuition cause student loan debt to skyrocket. The mental health stresses brought on by student loan debt, often coupled with credit card and car loans, are more powerful than ever. MoneyGeek's guide "Student Loan Stress and Mental Health" offers educational information and tips to help you when the two intersect.

BestColleges.com publishes a variety of guides, two of which are highlighted here. Recognizing that college students with a mental health diagnosis might face unique educational challenges, the College Guide for Students with Psychiatric Disabilities was created. It examines instructional strategies, course accommodations, and other campus services designed to serve this population. Also available is Top Online MSW Programs guide, which includes a brief career outlook for graduates.

For young students entering higher education, picking a degree and career is a daunting and complex challenge. A career in social work or psychology presents even greater challenge due to the various levels of degrees you can achieve and the number of specializations that are possible. The Center for Online Education created an Online Social Work Degree and Career Guide and an Online Psychology Degree Guide to help answer questions, such as, How much do professionals in these fields make? How many hours of study are required to get a degree? What additional types of licensure are required?

OnlineU.org has released its new listing of the 2019 Most Affordable Online Colleges for Counseling Degrees. This free resource provides a guide to accredited schools offering a variety of online counseling degrees at affordable rates. Data is manually researched and verified, and listings include available degree types, levels, accreditation information and example classes.

CollegeStats.org offers Mental Health Guide for College Students to help identify symptoms and behaviors that could indicate a mental health condition, suggestions for next steps, and links to resources for more information.

SocialWorkGuide.org is a free resource for those looking to enter or advance in the social work field, with in-depth career advice articles, profiles of degree programs, and state-by-state guides to licensure. The site also provides resources for recent graduates and working professionals, such as a job board that displays new job openings every day.

Psychology.org is an nationwide online site dedicated to helping meet the growing need for psychology professionals by connecting students with information about academic requirements, career paths within the psychology field, financial assistance, and more. Click for a page specific to Missouri.

For students interested in pursuing a master's degree in public health or public policy, PublicHealthDegrees.org and MPHProgram.com are two starting points to learn more about curriculum, online programs, and more.

SocialWork.org provides free online guides with general and state-specific info on social work degrees, as well as an overview of career options. Examples of specific guides include Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Social Work Degrees in Missouri, and Careers in Social Work.

Disclaimer: Listings contained on this page should not be considered an endorsement by Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri. The descriptions and links are for informational purposes only.